This publication provides estimates of stocks of wheat, barley, and selected other grains and pulses held by bulk grain handlers. These estimates are compiled from the Grain Handlers Stocks Survey (GHSS) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In addition to the monthly wheat estimates, quarterly estimates for barley and selected other grains and pulses are available in a separate data cube from the 'Downloads' tab of this publication.

Stocks of barley and other grains and pulses were not updated for the December 2010 quarter. Updated estimates for the March 2011 quarter appear in this March 2011 issue, after which further updates will not be published. The publication of monthly data on stocks of wheat grain held by bulk handlers will continue unchanged.

The ABS welcomes any comments from readers regarding the usefulness, range and quality of the statistics presented in this publication. Comments can be forwarded to: Environment and Agriculture Business Statistics Centre, Australian Bureau of Statistics, GPO Box 66, Hobart TAS 7001. Alternatively, email: agriculture.statistics@abs.gov.au, or phone (03) 6222 5939.

EFFECT OF FLOODS

Extensive flooding began in late December 2010 in Queensland and was more wide spread in both Queensland and other states in January 2011. While these floods affected the wheat harvest in some areas, impacts on the total stocks of wheat grain held by bulk grain handlers cannot be determined. The quality of wheat grain harvested has been affected by the recent weather events even though the total volume of wheat grain harvested is higher than in previous years.

KEY POINTS

By the end of March 2011 the wheat grain harvest was complete. Australia's bulk storage of wheat grain was estimated at 18.7 million tonnes. This represents a decrease of around 1.6 million tonnes (8%) of wheat grain stored when compared to February 2011. Stocks of wheat grain are up by 33% compared to March 2010.

All states reported decreases in stocks of wheat grain compared to February 2011. South Australia was the most significant with 516 thousand tonnes (10%). New South Wales and South Australia had the largest amounts of wheat grain stored by bulk grain handlers with 6.7 million tonnes and 4.6 million tonnes respectively.

The wet harvest season has contributed to a lower quality yield of wheat grain and this has continued from February into March 2011. Of the total wheat grain stored by bulk grain handlers, milling grade accounted for 10.3 million tonnes (55%) and feed grade 8.5 million tonnes (45%). This compares to 86% for milling and 14% for feed in March 2010.

STOCKS OF WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY BULK GRAIN HANDLERS, at month end

WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY STATE

WHEAT GRAIN STORED BY GRADE(a)

NSW(b)

Vic.(c)

Qld

SA

WA

Aust.

Milling

Feed

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

'000 t

2009 -10(d)

March

2 951

1 450

940

3 475

5 252

14 068

12 133

1 935

April

2 667

1 301

821

3 178

4 803

12 770

11 043

1 727

May

2 238

1 137

694

2 895

4 186

11 150

9 729

1 421

June

1 997

986

608

2 566

3 727

9 884

8 642

1 242

July

1 451

678

457

2 177

3 137

7 900

7 025

875

August

1 351

603

397

1 723

2 613

6 687

5 938

749

September(d)

972

487

320

1 393

1 943

5 115

4 530

585

2010 -11(d)

October

567

300

193

898

1 482

3 440

3 066

374

November

2 687

218

1 105

906

3 534

8 450

6 316

2 134

December

5 974

2 048

1 217

4 044

4 927

18 210

11 308

6 902

January

7 825

3 426

1 150

5 415

4 346

22 162

12 468

9 694

February

7 010

3 343

1 066

5 105

3 847

20 371

11 551

8 820

March

6 661

3 085

929

4 589

3 476

18 740

10 280

8 460

(a) Wheat grain is graded by quality.

(b) Includes ACT.

(c) Includes Tas.

(d) The end of September is used to represent the closing stocks of wheat grain prior to the commencement of the next harvest period (October to September).

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.